Sofa lovers sofa

ABSTRACT

A sofa or the like has an end cushion comprising a lower stationary member approximating the height of an arm of the sofa and a rotatable upper member that may be rotated to overlie an arm of the sofa. Thus, a back support may be provided for sitting crosswise on the sofa.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to adjustable sofas and moreparticularly to a sofa in which members of the back rest of the sofa maybe rotated such as to raise the height of one or both of the arms of thesofa to provide support for the back, neck and head and enhance comfortwhen lying across the sofa with the persons legs lying on the seatcushions of the sofa.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] People often lie across a sofa; that is, from arm to arm, attimes for comfort and at times when viewing TV or conversing withsomeone located generally parallel to the sofa, or both seated likewiseon the sofa, facing each other. The arms of the sofa are generally notvery high so that the head of the user is not supported by any portionof the sofa if the person is sitting upright. The only option typicallyis to slouch on the couch, or use multiple pillows (oversized ones, ifavailable) for lower to mid-back support, but even then the person'shead and neck are left unsupported.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, asofa having a three cushion back and arm rests permits the two lateralend back rest cushions (or only one as desired) to be rotated intopositions overlying the typical sofa arm rests and locked in suchpositions vertically.

[0004] In such an arrangement one or both of the back cushions on thetwo sides of the middle cushion provide a back rest or, depending on theheight of the seated person, a raised headrest.

[0005] In such an instance, with both typical arm areas effectivelyelevated, a couple may lie on the sofa facing one another, each with abackrest. The non-rotating section of the lateral rear cushion(s)provides(s) a natural, new arm rest for the rear most arm of each personwhen seated lengthwise on the couch. The rotating backrest when added tothe typical arm provides a new back rest much as the normal (typical)back of the sofa.

[0006] The above and other features, objects and advantages of thepresent invention, together with the best means contemplated by theinventor thereof for carrying out the invention will become moreapparent from reading the following description of a preferredembodiment and perusing the associated drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a front view in perspective of a three cushion sofaaccording to the present invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a side view of the sofa;

[0009]FIG. 3 illustrates a front view in perspective of the sofa withthe two end back members rotated to overlie the typical arms of thesofa;

[0010]FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the invention;and

[0011]FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of one embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0012] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, asofa has three back cushions, the two outer most cushions being composedof two parts 4 and 4 a and 8 and 8 a. These cushions include stationarylower members 4 a and 8 a and rotatable upper members 4 and 8, and asingle center non-rotating back cushion 6. Back cushions 4, 4 a and 8, 8a are the outward most cushions, the tops of which 4 and 8 can rotate torest on top of the standard sofa arms 10 and 12. As indicated, thecushion parts 4 and 8 are rotatively moveable with stationary parts 4 aand 8 a being of the same height as the standard sofa arms 10 and 12.The remainder of the sofa is of standard design having a simple seatcushion 14, fabric skirt 20, legs 15 and a frame 17 supporting themembers set forth above.

[0013] The rotating end members 4 and 8 of the end cushions may berotated into the positions shown in FIG. 3; that is, overlying the arms10 and 12 with the center cushion 6 remaining in its initial position.As can be seen in FIG. 3, the new configuration of the arms and backcushions (4 and 8) provide a high back at the sides of the sofa; theheight being the height of the arms and of the cushions rotated intoposition over the arms. In the drawings the height of the arms pluscushion provides a back at the same height as the cushion 6. Such is notessential since the height of cushions 4 and 8 do not have to be as highas that of cushion 6.

[0014] In cushions 4 a and 8 a, a cup holder recess 9 and a pencilholder 11 are provided.

[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a rod 11 extends from adjacentthe bottom of the sofa through the side cushion members 10 and 12 andinto the lateral parts of cushion members 8 and 4 that are to berotated. The rod 11 may be supported at its lower end by a plate 13secured to a leg 15 of the sofa. This same description applies to rod 11as displayed in FIGS. 1 and 3 on both sides of the sofa. The member 11carries at its lower end an attached plate 16, a rigid, lateralextension from rod 11 that engages a metal stop 18 secured to the frameof the sofa. The plate 13 and stop 18 are located behind a skirt 20 ofthe cushion so as not to be visible. Other means of support areavailable, of course. The rod 11 could have a circular shoulder thatrests on top of a ring plate 13 secured to the frame or a leg.

[0016] When the cushion 8 is in its standard position it is lyingovertop of cushion 8A, held secure by the plate 16 which engages rod 11that in turn engages stop 18. The cushion 8 is held securely in place bythe combination of the members 16, (the rigid lateral extension 16 fromthe rod 11), and the stop 18. Similarly, the cooperation of the members16, rod 11 and stop 22 hold the cushion securely over the arm 12.

[0017] In order for the structure to accomplish its intended purpose,the height of the cushion 8A is preferably the same height as the arm 12so that the cushion 8 lies directly on top of the arm. The length of thearm and the width of cushion 8 in its normal position do not have to bethe same; one can be longer or shorter than the other, with the armlength preferably just as long as the rotating portions of the sofacovers or longer.

[0018] Although the description is applied only to cushion 8 of the sofait applies with equal validity to cushion 4 if it is desired to haveboth sides of the sofa to be adjustable and the same. A sofa having onlyone rotating cushion is also contemplated. In addition, it is obviousthat latches could be formed where cushion 8, for instance contactscushion 6.

[0019] Once given the above disclosure, many other features,modifications and improvements will become apparent to the skilledartisan. Such features, modifications and improvements are, therefore,considered to be a part of this invention, the scope of which is to bedetermined by the following claims.

1. A chair or sofa comprising a back having several cushions includingat least one end cushion and another cushion, a seat cushion orcushions, arms located on at least one side of the seat cushion, a frameand front and rear legs extending downwardly from said frame, a rodrising generally vertically from adjacent at least said rear lateralmost leg, through said frame and into the interior of said end cushionadjacent its lateral edge remote from said another cushion of said back,means for supporting said rod for rotation, means for causing said endcushion to rotate with said rod between a first position in line withsaid other cushion; and a second position overlying one of said arms,and means for limiting rotation of said end cushion to between saidfirst and said second positions.
 2. A chair or sofa according to claim 1wherein said sofa is a three cushion sofa with both end cushions of theback of the sofa rotatable to positions overlying the arms of the sofa.3. A chair or sofa according to claim 1 wherein said means for rotatingincludes a support for said rod secured to a selected one of said legsand said frame, said rod carrying adjacent its lower end an outwardlyextending projection, a first stop member engageable by said projectionwhen the cushion is in line with said another cushion, and a second stopengaged by said projection when the cushion overlies said arm.
 4. Achair or sofa according to claim 3 further comprising a member extendingfrom said rod through a sufficient region of said cushion to maintainsaid cushion in a location determined by the rotational position of saidrod.
 5. A chair or sofa according to claim 1 wherein said rod passesthrough said frame and is stabilized thereby.
 6. A chair or sofaaccording to claim 1 wherein said end cushion is comprised of astationary lower section and an upper section that moves with said rod,said lower section having a height generally equal to the height of saidarm.
 7. A chair or sofa according to claim 1 wherein said upper sectionrises a predetermined height above said arm equal to, lower than, orgreater than, the height of all cushions above said arm.
 8. A sofaconvertable to a sofa with a back along one side of said sofa comprisinga sofa having at least two back cushions, and at least one arm, andmeans for moving at least a part of one of said back cushions over saidarm to provide a high back for lying cross-wise on said sofa.